I am so sad i didn't get before and after pictures of our home, but I do have the after pictures and I thought I would put a few of them up on the blog. We are starting to feel settled here. This is a great home.

Enjoy the pictures.

For Christmas Danny got me a sewing machine. I have not touched a sewing machine since I was probably 8, but I am determined to start learning again. So I decided my first project would be a superman/batman cape for the boys. I thought it all out and had it completely visualized before I ever took my sewing machine out of the box. Brandon has really been into being a superhero lately and he had a small apron that he kept turning around to his back to be his cape. So yesterday I decided would be the day to attack my plan. We loaded up and went to Joanns fabric store. I told the kids they would have to be patient with me. We got all the fabric loaded up in the basket then headed over to find  some other sewing neccessities. I found a sewing machine kit with thread, pins, measuring tape, bobbins, scissors, and more. It was perfect! Then I decided Anna would need something too, so I grabbed some elastic and some tulle for a tutu.  I finally got my fabric cut and payed. Whew! First part of the plan was successful. DJ and Brandon were so excited.  We headed home and took DJ to Preschool. Then I put Anna and Brandon down and started the cutting. I found a batman logo and a superman logo online and blew them up to the size of a page and  printed them off. Those were  my patterns. The other cloth I just cut into rectangles. That part was done. Then the sewing machine part. I got out my handy dandy users guide. I figured out what everthing was called, and started following directions on how to thread the bobbin and the top thread. 45 minutes later I had it all figured out. Now I was ready to sew. The first lines went really well. Not beautiful, but I was happy that the thread was actually working. That means I understood the directions! Brandon and DJ helped me cut out and push the pedal. They were thrilled with themselves. By dinner we had all but the top part done. I wasn't quite sure how to do this. After the kids went down Danny and I used our combined brain power and sewing skills (both of which are not much) and by 1:00 in the morning we were done! Here is the finished product.

Not bad for first time sewers. Danny really pulled through for me. He was a trooper! 

I got Anna's elastic sewn together last  night but that is it. So today we worked on her tutu. We had to go get some more tulle and now we have the finished product.

She loves it! So that is our fun for a while. I am worn out but the kids are thrilled and I learned a lot and so it is worth it! Here is to fun stuff!

This has been a whirlwind of a year. A lot has been going on this year, and I can't believe my little Anna is 1 years old. She is such a cute little girl. We feel so blessed to have her in our family! She brings us so much joy. It has been amazing to watch her grow throughout this year. The boys just love having a sister. She has the best smile and the cutest laugh. She is getting really good at walking and practically running to keep up with her brothers. I keep telling her to stop growing up so fast, but that doesn't seem to be an option. Here are a few pictures of Anna growing up this year. I love you sweet girl! Sorry I don't know how to do the slide show so I will have a bunch of pictures instead.

We have been trying to keep entertained around this house while it has been so cold. Here are some things we have been up to lately.

  Dj goes to Preschool

  Dressing up in Costumes. Can you tell which one is DJ and which one is Brandon?

 Paint a Magnet Board

Potty Train

Go to the circus

Celebrate DJ's 4th Birthday and make a race track cake!

How about this style?

Paint Rocks and Hide them in the house like Easter eggs

All in all we have had a pretty good winter, but we are so tired of being stuck inside! We can't wait for the Spring. Unfortunately it is pooring snow right now, so it might not be for a while. 

What a trip. Last week Michelle and I took Anna to Washington DC for Steve's wedding. We stayed another couple of days and toured the city a bit. Really we needed a couple of weeks to see everything that we wanted to, but we did our best at cramming in as much as possible. DJ and Brandon stayed home with Molly. They seemed to fine for her which was a relief. Anna was great on the trip. She was very good for everything we did. Overall it was a very good trip. Washington DC has a lot of history and it was interesting to see all of the buildings and memorials.

  Washington DC Temple

  Steve and Krista

  Arlington Cemetery

White House 

Through the years our kids have liked to be wrapped up in their blankets burrito style. We have taken pictures of each of them wrapped up so I decided to put them all together into one to compare them. When I first decided to do this I thought they were closer in age, but Brandon is quite a bit older than the other when his picture was taken. They are cute little kids. You may need to click on the picture to get a bigger image to see it in more detail.

Happy Mother's day. Yesterday the boys and I went and got a flower pot and some flowers. We planted the flowers in the pot and put it on our front porch for Michelle. The boys were so proud of themselves. Then today the boys helped me put together a card for Michelle and we made french toast and put a roast in the crock pot. It was a pretty good day I think. 

Anna sure loves her mommy. Today at church Michelle had to go help with Primary music time so I got to hold Anna. Well she wasn't too happy about that. She wanted her mommy. It didn't help that she was hungry. She cried for several minutes until Michelle was done. As soon as Michelle had her in her arms she immediately stopped crying. What a funny little girl! 

Well, we finally got a picture of our little Anna smiling. It is not the best angle but it is all we have for now. Here are a couple more pictures of her too! She is growing up so fast. She is almost six weeks old. Time is flying by fast! The boys are sure loving that their little sister will smile at them. She is starting to coo a lot more too.